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The healing of a body piercing requires meticulous care. The piercing may bleed a little at first, and can be covered with sterile gauze for a short time, after that, the piercing should be left to air, except in some cases, under clothes, and while sleeping. After the first few days it is fine to leave uncovered under clean clothes, without any problem.
Always clean your hands before touching your piercing, to make sure you are not transferring any renegade germs from hand to the fresh piercing.
After the first night, use sterile cotton, cotton gauze or other sterile material, soaked in distilled water, or boil water on your stove, and let cool. Carefully clean any seepage from the skin around the site, and from the jewelry. If the piercing has loosened enough to turn, clean it a section at a time, while moving it through the site, to make sure all surfaces are clean.
For an oral piercing, such as a tongue, lip, or labret piercing, EXTRA care will have to be used, as these piercings can easily become infected. It is recommended to use plain antiseptic mouthwash mixed with water (one part water; 3 parts mouthwash) every time anything comes in contact with the piercing, after eating, smoking, drinking, etc.
For basic discomfort and swelling, keep a large cup of ice handy at all times...believe me, for the first few days, this is ABSOLUTELY necessary! Beer and wine are to be avoided for at least three weeks (Hard liquor is OK), and tongue kissing for at least 6 weeks...sorry guys, its a small price to pay really.
Genital piercings are another matter entirely. You cannot avoid having them touch your clothes, unless you live alone and don't have a job. You do need to make sure that all clothing that comes into contact with the piercing is very clean, preferably washed in a clear type detergent, so there is no residue of perfumes or coloring agents that can get into the site.
Cleaning the genital piercing is basically the same as any other body piercing, but you do need to be extra careful about tugging at the jewelry, as the site will probably be numb once it swells. Women with genital piercings should use a peri cleanse bottle (a small bottle with a squirt top) to rinse after every bathroom use, while males should clean themselves well with a soft cloth and warm water.
Sexual activity should be avoided until the piercing is fully healed, from 6-10 weeks, depending on the piercing, but can be resumed sooner, once it is comfortable, with an UNTREATED condom. (Dry, no spermicides)
Some signs of infection to look out for: excessive swelling, seepage of off color fluids, streaking of the surrounding skin, and fever in the area.
If you think your piercing may be infected, DO NOT remove the jewelry, this makes an open wound, which is likely to get even more infected. Go back to the artist who did the piercing, or to your family doctor.
Most piercings heal within weeks, with the exception of cartilage piercings and genital piercings, which can take up to 12 weeks.
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